Grid system and method for remote control

ABSTRACT

A remote control system and related method for controlling a video device are presented. The remote control system contains a plurality of buttons arranged in a grid pattern that correspond to user selectable options displayed on a display screen arranged in the same grid pattern. The user selects options on the screen by pressing the corresponding button on the remote control.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This invention relates to remote control systems and, more particularly,to a remote control system and related user interface for controlling aninteractive menu of a video feed using a grid system.

Description of the Related Art

Remote controls are commonly used with a variety of audio and videodevices. The devices and paired remote controls have varying levels ofcomplexity and sophistication, often with dozens of functions that arecapable of being controlled through the remote control. As the number offunctions a device is capable of increases, the number of buttons that aremote control has also increases, leading to complicated and confusingremote control layouts.

One common way to handle the increased functions of a device is by usinga directional pad on the remote control to control a user interface thatis displayed to the user. The directional pad generally has buttons tomove a cursor up, down, left, and right, and an additional button toselect the currently highlighted option. Although this method increasesthe functions that can be controlled through a remote control, it canalso be very time consuming for the user, requiring users to pressseveral buttons in a row to choose the function that they wish toexecute. Given that the directional pad does not provide alternatefunctionality beyond item-by-item menu navigation and selection, thedirectional pad also adds buttons to remote controls that are alreadyfilled with buttons. It is not uncommon with today's electronics to seeremote controls with 50 or more buttons.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, a remote control with buttonsarranged in a grid pattern is used to control an associated device. Theremote control and associated device both utilize a grid pattern withthe same number of columns and rows. Each button of the remote controlcorresponds to a user selectable option displayed on a user interface ofthe associated device. The user is able to control the associated deviceby selecting one of the user selectable options by pressing thecorresponding button on the remote control.

According to one embodiment, a video device includes a controllercoupled to a display screen, a memory coupled to the controller, a userinterface stored on the memory and configured to be output to thedisplay screen, a menu stored on the memory and displayable on the userinterface, and a receiver coupled to the controller. The menu contains avariety of user selectable options that are arranged in a grid pattern.These user selectable options correspond to a variety of buttons thatare also arranged in a grid pattern on a remote control. Each of theuser selectable options has a corresponding button on the remotecontrol, located in the same relative position in the grid pattern. Whena user presses one of the buttons in the grid pattern, the correspondinguser selectable option is selected.

In a further embodiment, the grid pattern contains at least three rowsand at least three columns. In one embodiment, the size of the gridpattern can be changed, depending on the user selectable options beingdisplayed. In another further embodiment, the video device will visuallyindicate a user selectable option when the corresponding button in thegrid pattern has been touched by a user.

In yet another embodiment, the remote control buttons are dual-function.The buttons arranged in the grid pattern are used to highlight andselect corresponding user selectable options when the user interfacedisplays the user selectable options in a grid pattern. When the userinterface does not display the user selectable options in a gridpattern, the video device transmits a signal to the remote control toenter into a “standard mode” in which the remote control executesdifferent functions for button presses. In standard mode, the buttonsarranged in the grid pattern execute a variety of static pre-setfunctions, such as play, pause, stop, rewind, up, down, left, right, andback.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a remote control system according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a remote control according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a video device according to one embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a remote control system with a grid pattern according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the remote control system of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of a video device according toone embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a remote control system having a dual-function remote controlaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the dial-function remote control of FIG. 7according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a remote control system 10 according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The remote control system 10 includes a remotecontrol 12 and a video device 14. The video device 14 is generally aset-top box, but may be any device that displays video, such as a DVDplayer. The remote control 12 is paired with and used to control thevideo device 14, with functions of the video device being executed whena user presses assorted buttons on the remote control 12. The videodevice 14 is coupled to a display screen 16 and displays video feed andmenus or other visuals. A user views the display screen 16, in part, tosee a menu that the user interacts with in order to control the devicewith the remote control 12.

The remote control 12 has a plurality of buttons 20 located such that auser can view and interact with the buttons 20. At least some of thebuttons 20 are arranged in a grid pattern 22 on the remote control 12.The grid pattern 22 can have any number of columns and rows, butpreferably has at least three columns, and at least three rows. On thedisplay screen 16 the video device 14 outputs a user interface 30, whichprovides a number of user selectable options 32 to the user for controlof the video device 14. At least some of the user selectable options 32are also arranged in the same grid pattern 22 as the buttons 20 on theremote control 12. Each one of the user selectable options 32 that isarranged in the grid pattern 22 corresponds to each one of the buttons20 that are arranged in the grid pattern 22. For example, as shown inFIG. 1 , the top, left button “1” corresponds to the top, leftselectable option “1,” and the middle button “5” corresponds to themiddle selectable option “5.” The corresponding buttons 20 and userselectable options 32 provide a way to select options and executefunctions on the video device with a relatively low number of buttons20.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the remote control 12. The remotecontrol 12 contains a first controller 40, touch sensor 42, buttonsensor 44, first memory 46 and first receiver/transmitter 48. The firstcontroller 40 is coupled to the touch sensor 42, button sensor 44,memory 46 and receiver/transmitter 48. The first controller 40 can beany microprocessor or other logic controller capable of processing inputand output functions.

The touch sensor 42 is a sensor capable of detecting an object that istouching or in close proximity to the sensor. The sensor may be anycommon touch sensor, such as capacitive touch sensors, inductive touchsensors, resistive touch sensors or any other suitable sensor. Theobject that is touching the sensor is generally a finger, but may alsobe a stylus or any other object used for touch functionality. The touchsensor 42 is located under the buttons 20, particularly the buttons 20that are arranged in the grid pattern 22. The touch sensor senses theposition of a finger or other object on the buttons 20 that are arrangedin the grid pattern 22 to determine which button is being touched. Thetouch sensor is coupled to the first controller 40, which processes theoutput of the touch sensor 42.

The button sensor 44 is generally a pressure sensitive sensor locatedunder the buttons 20. The button sensor 44 detects when an object,preferably a finger, presses a button. The button sensor 44 is used todetect when a user desires to select one of the user selectable options32 using the grid pattern 22, or is used to execute a variety of staticfunctions that may be assigned to assorted buttons 20. Upon pushing thebutton, the button sensor 44 will output a signal to the controller 40,which processes and sends the signal to the video device.

In alternative embodiments, the button sensor could also be the touchsensor 42. In such an embodiment, the button sensor 44 would registertouches that are different from those that the touch sensor 42 isconfigured to register. For example, the button sensor 44 could registera finger double-tapping the touch sensor 42, or any other specific touchmotion.

The first memory 46 is coupled to the first controller 40 and used tostore instructions, data, and other information. The first memory 46 isgenerally any non-volatile memory, such as ROM or Flash memory, but mayinclude any memory device, such as DRAM or SRAM. The first memory storesinstructions for the first controller 40, as well as other informationand data related to the remote control 12 or video device 14.

The receiver/transmitter 48 is coupled to the first controller 40 andconfigured to send and receive wireless signals. The wireless signalsare generally radio signals, such as RF4CE or Bluetooth, but can also beinfrared signals or any other wireless signal. In a preferredembodiment, the remote control 12 and video device 14 are in two-waycommunication with each other. The remote control 12 sends signals tothe video device primarily to instruct the video device to execute theassorted functions associated with the buttons 20 located on the remotecontrol, or any other instructions or information that the video deviceneeds from the remote control. The video device 14 also sends signals tothe remote control 12. These signals are received by the receiver 48,and are configured to instruct the remote control 12 of the state of thevideo device, or to provide other information to the remote control suchas software updates. In an alternative embodiment, the remote control 12may contain only a transmitter, and is not configured to receivewireless signals.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the video device 14. The video devicecontains a second controller 50, second transmitter/receiver 52, secondmemory 54 and output 56. The second controller 50 is coupled to thesecond memory, second transmitter/receiver and output of the videodevice, and acts a processor for inputs and outputs of the video device.The second controller 50 is preferably a microprocessor, but can be anydevice capable of logic functions and processing inputs and outputs.

The second transmitter/receiver 52 is configured to receive and transmitsignals with the first transmitter 48 of the remote control 12. Thesecond receiver/transmitter 52 performs many of the same functionsdescribed above with respect to the first receiver/transmitter 48 of theremote control 12. The receiver 52 may also be configured to receiveradio signals over Wi-Fi, or receive a wired internet, satellite orcable connection in order to receive video information from a remoteserver.

The second memory 54 is coupled to the second controller 50, andconfigured to store instructions and other data. The memory 54 may beany volatile or non-volatile memory, such as Flash, ROM or RAM. In someembodiments, the memory 54 may consist of multiple types of memory, suchas volatile memory for storing temporary instructions or data, andnon-volatile memory for storing permanent instructions or data.

The output 56 is coupled to the controller 50, and configured to connectto the display screen 16. The output 56 is an analog or digital video,audio or audio/video output, such as HDMI, DVI, composite video, VGA orcomponent video. The output 56 is used to connect the video device 14 tothe display screen 16 in order to display information or entertainmentthe user. The user interface 30, and related grid pattern 22 and userselectable options 32, are viewed by the user via the output 56 anddisplay screen 16.

FIGS. 4-6 show the remote control system 10 utilizing the grid pattern22. The user first enters into the user interface on the video device14. This can be performed automatically upon start-up of the videodevice 14, or may be entered via instruction by the remote control 12.Once the user interface 30 has been entered, the user views the userinterface 30 on the display screen 16. The user interface 30 will have avariety of functions, at least some of which will utilize the gridpattern 22. When a user desires to perform a function or functions usingthe grid pattern 22, the video device 14 will display the grid pattern22 on the display screen 16.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the remote control 12 and associated touchsensor 42 will first detect a finger or other object touching thebuttons 20 at 102. When the touch sensor 42 detects a finger touching aspecific button 20, it will transmit this data to the video device 14through the first transmitter 48. Upon receiving the signal from theremote control 12, the video device 14 will highlight the correspondinguser selectable option 32 on the user interface at 104. As the usermoves their finger around the remote control 12 to different buttons 20,the video device 14 visually indicates the user selectable options 32that correspond to the button currently being touched at 104. The visualindication may be changing the color of the use selectable option 32,placing a border around the option 32, enlarging the option 32 or anyother suitable means to indicate the option. In this way, the user canmove their finger around the buttons that are arranged in the gridpattern 22 and view which button 20 they are currently touching byshowing the corresponding user selectable option 32 on the displayscreen 16. This allows users to use the remote control 12 in low-lightenvironments, common for television or movie watching. In addition toviewing the corresponding user selectable option 32 highlight on thescreen, the remote control 12 may provide tactile feedback to the userin order to distinguish between the different buttons 20 in the gridpattern 22. For example, the buttons may be separated by a raised orlowered channel, allowing a user to feel the border between differentbuttons so that they may feel when they have moved their finger to a newbutton 20. Alternatively, the buttons may provide a brief vibration whenthe touch sensor 42 detects that the user has moved their finger fromone button to another.

Once a user has touched the button 20 that corresponds to the userselectable option 32 that they wish to select, they will select thatoption by pressing the button 20. The button sensor 44 will detect whena button has been pressed, and transmit the information to the videodevice through the transmitter 48 at 106. When the video device receivesthe signal indicating that button has been pressed, it will select theuser selectable option 32 corresponding to the button being pressed at108. If a button 20 that is not a part of the grid pattern 22 ispressed, or if the grid pattern 22 is not currently in use, the button'spre-set function, such as power, volume, channel or other functions,will be transmitted to the video device 14.

FIGS. 7-8 show an embodiment of the remote control system 10 wherein theremote control 12 is a dual-function device. The remote control 12 usesbuttons 20, particularly the buttons arranged in the grid pattern 22, asdual-function buttons. Each button arranged in the grid pattern 22 has apre-set function, as well as functioning as the corresponding button toa user selectable option 32. The remote control 12 receives signals fromthe video device 14 that instruct the remote control which of thedual-function modes it will enter. When the video device is displaying agrid pattern 22 on the user interface, it will instruct the remotecontrol 12 to enter a “grid mode,” and when the video device is notdisplaying the grid pattern 22, it will instruct the remote control 12to enter a “standard mode.”

The buttons 20 that are arranged in the grid pattern 22 also have atleast one pre-set function each that is performed when in “standardmode.” For example, a button may have the function of DVR, Guide,Search, Select, or a directional function such as up, down, left orright. In a preferred embodiment, these functions will be visuallylabeled on the remote control 12, as seen in FIG. 7 . When the videodevice 14 is in “standard mode” these pre-set, labeled functions willexecute upon a user pressing one of the buttons 20. When functioning in“standard mode,” the remote control 12 will function in a similarfashion to a standard remote control, wherein each button has a pre-setfunction.

When the video device 14 displays the user selectable options 32 in agrid pattern on the display screen 16, it sends a signal to the remotecontrol 12 to enter into a “grid mode.” The grid mode changes thefunctionality of the buttons 20 arranged in the grid pattern 22 from thepre-set functions of the “standard mode” to functioning as correspondingbuttons to the user selectable options 32. While in grid mode, each ofthe buttons of the grid pattern 22 act to select the corresponding userselectable option 32 of the user interface 30. For example, with respectto FIG. 7 , when in grid mode, a user touching the “guide” button willhighlight the user selectable option “C” which will type the letter Cinto a search query or other text input.

In an alternative embodiment, the user may select between “grid mode”and “standard mode” even when the grid pattern 22 is being displayed onthe user interface 30. Many users will be used to the standardfunctionality of a remote control, and therefore will desire to use the“standard mode” to navigate through the user selectable options 32 usinga directional pad.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, ifnecessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications andpublications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

1. A remote control, comprising: at least one processor; a plurality ofbuttons arranged in a grid pattern on the remote control that each havefunctionality that changes from being in a standard mode to being in agrid mode in response to a first signal from a video device and changesfrom being in the grid mode to being in the standard mode in response toa second signal from the video device, each of the plurality of buttonsarranged in the grid pattern having at least one pre-set function of thestandard mode labeled on the remote control that is performed only whenin the standard mode and each of the plurality of buttons arranged inthe grid pattern instead act, only when in the grid mode, to select acorresponding user selectable option displayed in a grid pattern of aplurality of user selectable options on a user interface of the videodevice; and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor,the at least one memory having computer-executable instructions storedthereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, causeoperations to be performed including: receiving signals at the remotecontrol from a video device; and entering into the grid mode in responseto the first signal, and the standard mode in response to the secondsignal; wherein entering into the grid mode comprises: receiving at theremote control, from the video device, the first signal to enter intothe grid mode in response to the video device displaying the gridpattern of the plurality of user selectable options on the userinterface of the video device; and the remote control changing from thestandard mode to the grid mode in response to the receiving, from thevideo device, the first signal to enter into the grid mode, wherein theremote control is not in the standard mode and the grid mode at a sametime, the standard mode and grid mode are not operational on the remotecontrol at the same time, and the grid mode and standard mode areindependent of each other, wherein changing from the standard mode tothe grid mode changes the functionality of the plurality buttonsarranged in the grid pattern from the labeled pre-set functions of thestandard mode to functioning as corresponding buttons to the pluralityof user selectable options on the user interface of the video device;and wherein entering into the standard mode comprises: receiving at theremote control, from the video device, the second signal to enter intothe standard mode in response to the video device not displaying thegrid pattern of the plurality of user selectable options on the userinterface of the video device; and the remote control changing from thegrid mode to the standard mode in response to the receiving, from thevideo device, the second signal to enter into the grid mode, whereinchanging from the grid mode to the standard mode changes thefunctionality of the plurality buttons arranged in the grid pattern tothe labeled pre-set functions of the standard mode from the plurality ofuser selectable options that were previously displayed on the userinterface of the video device.
 2. The remote control of claim 1, whereinthe operations further comprise providing tactile feedback when a usermoves their finger from one of the buttons to another of the buttons. 3.The remote control of claim 2, wherein the tactile feedback is aphysical structure positioned between each of the plurality of buttonsarranged in the grid pattern.
 4. The remote control of claim 1, wherein,when in grid mode, a user touching a “guide” button from the pluralityof buttons arranged in a grid pattern on the remote control, and that islabeled on the remote control with a pre-set “guide” function of thestandard mode, highlights a corresponding user selectable option of aletter displayed in the grid pattern of the plurality of user selectableoptions on the user interface of the video device to type the letterinto a search query or other text input.
 5. The remote control of claim1, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving input indicativeof a user selection between the remote control being in the grid modeand standard mode; and changing the functionality of the pluralitybuttons arranged in the grid pattern between the labeled pre-setfunctions of the standard mode to functioning as corresponding buttonsand the plurality of user selectable options on the user interface ofthe video device in response to receiving the input indicative of theuser selection between the remote control being in the grid mode and thestandard mode.